Pembroke man's family stunned by his shooting by Manchester police

PEMBROKE — The family of Christopher Varagianis, including a mother who is battling cancer, are in shock that the 37-year-old Pembroke man was shot by police Monday night.

Dennis Lane of 12 Melissa Lane said he has known Varagianis for years and last spoke to him Sunday. Lane said he has been in a long-term relationship with Varagianis' mother, Sandra Sharp, who is suffering from lung and brain cancers.

."It blew me away when I found out what happened," Lane said.

Lane said Sharp, who is living in a long-term care facility, is now trying to arrange to see her son, who was at Elliot Hospital Tuesday night recovering from two gunshot wounds...Sharp lost a 22-year-old son, Kody, last November, he said.

He said Sharp was given four months to live when she was diagnosed with cancer. That was 11 years ago; she's been fighting it ever since, he said..."His mom's been through so much," he said. "This is the last thing she needs right now."

Lane said it seemed that Varagianis, who had done prison time for drug-related offenses, had turned his life around by finding work detailing cars and starting a relationship with a new girlfriend. Lane said he'd offered to take Varagianas and his girlfriend out as a way to thank him for "doing so well.".."I just talked to him Sunday night," Lane said.

Lane said family members, including Sharp and Varagianis' sister, Michelle, have no idea what may have prompted Varagianis' alleged actions Monday night.

"I have no idea," Lane said. "We're just like anyone else. We're trying to figure this out and what's going on.".."There's so many unanswered questions," he said.